Biblical Archaeology 40: The Pilate Stone | Theo-sophical Ruminations Theo-sophical Ruminations A collage of theological and philosophical musings September 20, 2011 Biblical Archaeology 40: The Pilate Stone Posted by Theosophical Ruminator under Archaeology Leave a Comment This slideshow requires JavaScript. Pilate was the Roman Prefect over Judea from AD 26-36. All four gospels record his involvement with the trial of Jesus, and his authorization to crucify Jesus. The Bible, however, is not the only literary source for information about Pilate. He is also attested to in the works of three men who lived in the first-century AD: Tacitus (Roman senator and historian, AD 56-117), Josephus (Jewish historian, AD 37-100), and Philo (Jewish philosopher and theologian, 20 BC – AD 50). Tacitus writes: To dispel the rumor, Nero substituted as culprits, and treated with the most extreme punishments, some people, popularly known as Christians, whose disgraceful activities were notorious.

The originator of that name, Christus, had been executed when Tiberius was emperor, by order of the procurator Pontius Pilatus. But the deadly cult, though checked for a time, was now breaking out again not only in Judea, the birthplace of this evil, but even throughout Rome, where all the nasty and disgusting ideas from all over the world pour in and find a ready following. Josephus writes: About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, for he was a performer of wonderful deeds, a teacher of such men as are happy to accept the truth. He won over many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. When Pilate, at the suggestion of the leading men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him at the first did not forsake him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct to this day. Philo described Pilate as “a man of inflexible, stubborn and cruel disposition.” But there was no archaeological evidence of Pilate’s existence until archaeologists discovered a slab of rock with his name on it in a theater in Caesarea in 1961.

It reads in Latin: DI]S TIBERIUM …PRAEF]ECTUS IVDA[EA]E [FECIT D]E[DICAVIT] To the honorable gods (this) Tiberium Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea, had dedicated A Tiberium was a temple used in the worship of Tiberius Caesar. Apparently Pilate had dedicated such a temple, and an inscription was made in the temple walls (or attached to the temple) to commemorate the event. Tiberius Caesar reigned from AD 14-37, so the inscription must have been created during that time. This fits the time-frame of the governorship of the Biblical Pilate. There are two good reasons to think this stone refers to the Biblical Pilate. First, we only know of one man named Pilate who governed Judea, particularly during the reign of Tiberius.

Secondly, the title ascribed to this Pilate is “prefect.” This is interesting because the title Tacitus gave to Pilate was “procurator.” We now know, however, that governors in Judea were called “prefect” during the time Herod Agrippa I was declared king of Judea: AD 6-44. After Agrippa’s death in AD 44 Judea reverted back to direct Roman rule, and the governors began being called “procurators.” Either Titus was unaware of this change in title, or he was intentionally speaking anachronistically for the benefit of his readers who may not be familiar with the pre-44 title. Either way, the fact that “prefect” appears on the Pilate Stone allows us to date this Pilate to AD 6-44, which fits precisely with the dating of the Biblical Pilate, as well as the extra-biblical information we have concerning Pilate’s rule. Significance: This find provides archaeological confirmation of the existence of Pilate. The Pilate Stone is currently housed in The Israel Museum.

Rate this: Christianity History Official Christianity History The emergence of Christianity in the Roman Empire was based on many factors, and its spread was an indication of massive social upheaval and changing environments. This article is intended to be a look at the history of the Christian religion, and not an ideological exploration of its mystical foundation. The concept of the historical Jesus Christ and the accuracy of the Bible's 'New Testament' (only from a mystical persepective as its recognition as a historical source is generally well accepted), can be considered irrelevant in understanding Christian history. Despite the written evidence for a historical Jesus, the mystical nature of the story of the Christ has led to a timeless debate. Whether one argues for or against the divinity of Jesus, one cannot argue the impact or rapid spread of the 'Mystery Cult' that eventually came to dominate the western world. Biblical and Theologian Scholars have long debated the ancient texts and Christian theory with Archaeologists or Scholars of alternative thought on this matter. That debate will rage timelessly, but the history of the religion can be examined even without dwelling on its divine beginnings, various historical components or conversely, the roles men may have played in arranging early doctrine.

While the debate regarding the mystical portion of the story of Jesus (Yeshua means savior in Hebrew) Christ (Christos means anointed in Greek) of Nazareth can be debated on many fronts from either side of the equation, the belief in his existence became the focal point of Christianity's missionary spread. While even a date of birth is subject to great debate, and a rather confusing interpretation of the calendar, Biblical sources place his birth in a 10 year period somewhere between 4 BC and 6 AD. As for the calendar, the birth of Jesus created an interesting alteration of the dating system used in the western world to this day. The change in the Roman (or Julian) calendar counting forward from the founding of Rome (Ab Urbe Conditum or AUC) to a date counting forward from the estimated birth of Christ was established in the 6th century by Dionysius Exiguus. The creation of AD (Anno Domini for Year of our Lord in Latin) was added much later in the 12th century and BC (Before Christ in English) centuries after that (explaining the use of English words rather than Latin).

While not necessarily important in the context of Christian history, the complete alteration of the calendar does show the great influence of the Church in the late Roman Empire and beyond. Jesus the man is as shrouded in mystery as his birth, but the general theories and teachings of his adult life are well known. Because of the relationship between Jesus' crucifixion and the known dates of Pontius Pilate serving as Prefect of Judea (26 - 36 AD), his death is generally ascribed as occurring between the years 30 and 35 AD. This period in Roman history is important for the foundation this new fledgling cult, because of social conditions where it all originated. Judea and the Palestine were governed by Rome, and the people in their zeal for religious freedom, of their own ideology, were often openly hostile to foreign rule (especially Pagan or polytheistic faiths). Indeed many were resistant to their own King Herod, for a multitude of reasons, but in part for what was deemed to be an oppressive government. Jesus' teachings, under the concepts of Jewish law, taught of social equality, harmony and the freedom of men to decide their own fate.

These ideas led to a small, yet slowly growing following for a new hope and idea, in a time when the appearance of oppression and inequality from Rome, their own governing authorities, and spiritual leaders was front and center in the Jewish public eye. It is certainly difficult to determine the effect of Jesus' death on his following immediately afterwards, but the rising popularity of anti establishment theory certainly played a part. One might think the death of its leader would stop the concept cold, but Jesus' death became a rallying cry for martyrdom that dominated the early religion. The Jewish Christians spread slowly in the general region, and established themselves in Syria, but real advancement occurred under the work of the early missionaries. James the Just (sometimes referred to as the brother of Jesus) remained in Palestine and is understood to be the earliest leader of the Jewish Christian sect. Thaddeus went east to Armenia which would eventually (4th century) become the first official Christian state. Peter went to Rome, where later Catholic leaders attributed the founding of the Catholic Church to him and recognized him as the Church's first Pope, while other early apostles spread the word elsewhere. Perhaps the most important of all the early missionaries, though, was Paul of Tarsus.

His tireless efforts in Greece, Asia Minor and throughout those provinces which make up modern Turkey, helped establish pockets of Christians all over the east. His writings are the source for much of the early Church doctrines and they paint a vivid portrait of its early struggles and strategies. It is impossible to determine the number of Christians throughout the empire in this earliest formative period or how quickly it caught hold, but Paul's missions changed the scope from one of a Jewish sect to a Gentile cult. While the Jewish sect was markedly different from the Gentile persuasion that followed, many of the basic principles in conducting one's life remained similar enough to allow a cross-cultural conversion (discussing the differences requires an in-depth study of the historical Jesus, Son of Man, Son of God and other early monotheistic theories and will not be done here). As Paul's mission spread, its most likely appealing teachings were the messages of equality in the eyes of God and eternal life in his kingdom. The poor, the slaves, women and any who felt disenfranchised with the Roman social system, that offered very limited upward mobility, gravitated eagerly to this new idea of hope after death.

The early Christians were more easily converted in places far from the central Roman authority, and the religion took root in the east. Though it would later become a much more urban practice, in which cities were largely Christian and rural Paganism would survive for centuries, Rome was slow to acknowledge its spread. It would not be long, however, before Rome did take notice of this subversive, counter-culture cult, and the early Christians were forced to practice their faith in secrecy.

Pontius Pilate, 5th procurator of Judea (deceased) - Genealogy Genealogy Join the world's largest family tree Gender Share your family tree and photos with the people you know and love Build your family tree online Share photos and videos Pontius Pilate, 5th procurator of Judea Death: son About Pontius Pilate, 5th procurator of Judea Pontius Pilatus (Greek: Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος, Pontios Pīlātos), known in the English-speaking world as Pontius Pilate (ˈpɒntʃəs ˈpaɪlət), was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, from AD 26–36. He is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus. As prefect, he served under Emperor Tiberius . The sources for Pilate's life are the four canonical gospels, Philo of Alexandria, Josephus, a brief mention by Tacitus, and an inscription known as the Pilate Stone, which confirms his historicity and establishes his title as prefect.

Based on these sources, it appears that Pilate was an equestrian of the Pontii family, and succeeded Valerius Gratus as prefect of Judaea in AD 26. Once in his post he offended the religious sensibilities of his subjects, leading to harsh criticism from Philo and Josephus. According to Josephus, he was ordered back to Rome after harshly suppressing a Samaritan uprising, arriving just after the death of Tiberius (according to Flavius Josephus' Jewish Antiquities 18.89) which occurred on March 16 in the year 37. He was replaced by Marcellus. In all four gospel accounts, Pilate appears in association with the responsibility for the death of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Pilate washes his hands to show that he was not responsible for the execution of Jesus and reluctantly sends him to his death. The Gospel of Mark, depicting Jesus as innocent of plotting against the Roman Empire, portrays Pilate as reluctant to execute Jesus.

In the Gospel of Luke, Pilate not only agrees that Jesus did not conspire against Rome, but Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee, also finds nothing treasonable in Jesus' actions. Scholars have long debated how to interpret Pilate's portrayal in the sources. Some Biblical scholars have argued that the Gospel accounts are not historically accurate, with some believing Pilate was a mythical character. The discovery of the Pilate Stone in 1961 is still under debate by present scholars. Sources Roman Judea - AE Prutah of Pontius Pilatus, prefect of Judea (AD 26-36), under Tiberius (AD 14-37). AE Prutah dated year AD 16, 29. - Catawiki Shipping Fine / Very Fine Pontius Pilatus, prefect of Judaea (AD 26-36), under Tiberius (AD 14-37). AE Prutah dated year AD 16, 29.

Obv: Three ears of grain tied together; [IOYΛIA KAICAPOC] Rev: Simpulum (spoon for libations); TIBEPIOY KA[ICAPOC] L IS (L=year, I=10 and S=6). Ref: Hendin 1341; 15mm, 2,25 gram. This coins has circulated in Judea in the time of Jesus. Pontius Pilatus was during the years AD 26 to 36 the governor ('prefect') of Judea. He was the Roman magistrat who, according to the book of gospels, condemned Jesus Christ to be crucified (Matthew 17:11-26, Marcus 15:1, Lucas 23:1-25, John 18:28-19:16).The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus - another important historical source for Pilatus - describes the governor as cruel and corrupt, disrespectful of the Jewish law, and furthermore that he was called back to Romer after a massacre in Samaria. Judea was Pilatus' last position. This coin is being sold with a lifetime warranty of authenticity.

A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. The images provide a good impression. Lot will be sent by registered mail. Member since: January 4, 2013 Please note: some elements on this page have been translated automatically. Would you like to see an automatic translation? Yes tutto ok +++++ Cioly67 January 15, 2017 Please note: some elements on this page have been translated automatically. Would you like to see an automatic translation? Yes Very fine manu63 January 12, 2017 Please note: some elements on this page have been translated automatically. Would you like to see an automatic translation? Yes Een mooie munt. 15muntenzoeker January 11, 2017 Please note: some elements on this page have been translated automatically. Would you like to see an automatic translation? Yes Item's quality extremely fine, as described. Perfect transport packaging, quick delivery. A great professional!!!

medvet December 31, 2016 Pontius Pilate Profile - Roman Governor of Judea Share By Jack Zavada Pontius Pilate was a key figure in the trial of Jesus Christ , ordering Roman troops to carry out Jesus' death sentence by crucifixion . As Roman governor and supreme judge in the province from 26-37 A.D., Pilate had the sole authority to execute a criminal. This soldier and politician found himself caught between the unforgiving empire of Rome and the religious scheming of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin . Pontius Pilate's Accomplishments: Pilate was assigned to collect taxes, oversee building projects, and keep law and order. He maintained peace through brute force and subtle negotiation. Pontius Pilate's predecessor, Valerius Gratus, went through three High Priests before he found one to his liking: Joseph Caiaphas . Pilate retained Caiaphas, who apparently knew how to cooperate with the Roman overseers. Pontius Pilate's Strengths: Pontius Pilate was probably a successful soldier before he received this appointment through patronage.

In the gospels, he is portrayed as finding no fault with Jesus and symbolically washes his hands of the matter. Pontius Pilate's Weaknesses: Pilate was afraid of the Sanhedrin and a possible riot. He knew Jesus was innocent of the charges against him yet gave in to the crowd and had Jesus crucified anyway. Life Lessons: What is popular is not always right, and what is right is not always popular. Pontius Pilate sacrificed an innocent man to avoid problems for himself. Disobeying God to go along with the crowd is a very serious matter. As Christians, we must be prepared to take a stand for God's laws. Hometown: Pilate's family is traditionally believed to have come from the region of Samnium in central Italy.

Referenced in the Bible: Matthew 27: 2, 11, 13, 17, 19, 22-24, 58, 62, 25; Mark 15:1-15, 43-44; Luke 13:1, 22:66, 23:1-24, 52; John 18:28-38, 19:1-22, 31, 38; Acts 3:13, 4:27; 13:28; 1 Timothy 6:13. Occupation: Prefect, or governor of Judea under the Roman Empire . Family Tree: Matthew 27:19 mentions Pontius Pilate's wife, but we have no other information on his parents or any children.

Key Verses: Matthew 27:24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves." ( ESV ) Luke 23:12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other. ( ESV ) John 19:19-22 Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek.

So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but rather, 'This man said, I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." ( ESV ) (Information in this article is compiled and summarized from livius.org and ecole.evansville.edu) Pilate Inscription - Biblical Archaeology in Israel (Bible History Online) 8. John Hyrcanus I, 134-104 B.C. 9. Aristobulus I, 104-103 B.C. 10. Alexander Jannaeus, 103-76 B.C. 11. Hyrcanus II, 76-67 B.C. 12. Aristobulus II, 67-63 B.C. 13. Hyrcanus II, 63-40 B.C. 14. Antigonus, 40-37 B.C. The Jewish High Priests from Herod the Great to the Destruction of Jerusalem 15. Ananel, 37-36 B.C.

(Appointed by Herod the Great) 16. Aristobulus III, 35 B.C. 17. Jesus, son of Phiabi, ? -22 B.C. 18. Simon, son of Boethus, 22-5 B.C. 19. Matthias, son of Theophilus, 5-4 B.C. 20. Joseph, son of Elam, 5 B.C. 21. Joezer, son of Boethus, 4 B.C. 22. Eleazar, son of Boethus, 4-1 B.C. - (Appointed by Herod Archelaus) 23. Jesus, son of Sie, 1 - 6 A.D. 24. Annas, 6-15 A.D. (Appointed by Quirinius) 25. Ishmael, son of Phiabi I, 15-16 A.D. (Appointed by Valerius Gratus) 26. Eleazar, son of Annas, 16-17 A.D. 27. Simon, son of Kamithos, 17-18 A.D.

28. Joseph Caiaphas, 18-37 AD. 29. Jonathan, son of Annas, 37 A.D. (Appointed by Vitellius) 30. Theophilus, son of Annas, 37-41 A.D. 31. Simon Kantheras, son of Boethus, 41-43 A.D. (Appointed by Herod Agrippa I) 32. Matthias, son of Annas, 43-44 A.D. 33. Elionaius, son of Kantheras, 44-45 A.D. 34. Joseph, son of Kami, 45-47 A.D. (Appointed by Herod of Chalcis) 35. Ananias, son of Nebedaius, 47-55 A.D. 36. Ishmael, son of Phiabi III, 55-61 A.D. (Appointed by Herod Agrippa II) 37. Joseph Qabi, son of Simon, 61-62 A.D. 38.

Ananus, son of Ananus, 62 A.D. 39. Jesus, son of Damnaius, 62-65 A.D. 40. Joshua, son of Gamal iel, 63-65 A.D. 41. Matthias, son of Theophilus, 65-67 A.D. 42. Phinnias, son of Samuel, 67-70 A.D. (Appointed by The People) Some dates cannot be known for certain. Pilate in Easton's Bible Dictionary probably connected with the Roman family of the Pontii, and called "Pilate" from the Latin pileatus, i.e., "wearing the pileus", which was the "cap or badge of a manumitted slave," as indicating that he was a "freedman," or the descendant of one. He was the sixth in the order of the Roman procurators of Judea (A.D. 26-36). His headquarters were at Caesarea, but he frequently went up to Jerusalem. His reign extended over the period of the ministry of John the Baptist and of Jesus Christ, in connection with whose trial his name comes into prominent notice.

Pilate was a "typical Roman, not of the antique, simple stamp, but of the imperial period, a man not without some remains of the ancient Roman justice in his soul, yet pleasure-loving, imperious, and corrupt. He hated the Jews whom he ruled, and in times of irritation freely shed their blood. They returned his hatred with cordiality, and accused him of every crime, maladministration, cruelty, and robbery. He visited Jerusalem as seldom as possible; for, indeed, to one accustomed to the pleasures of Rome, with its theatres, baths, games, and gay society, Jerusalem, with its religiousness and ever-smouldering revolt, was a dreary residence. When he did visit it he stayed in the palace of Herod the Great, it being common for the officers sent by Rome into conquered countries to occupy the palaces of the displaced sovereigns."... Pilate in Fausset's Bible Dictionary PILATE, PONTIUS. Connected with the Pontian clan (gens), first remarkable in the person of Pontius Telesinus, the great Samnite general.

Pilate is probably from pileus, "the cap of freedom,"which manumitted slaves received; Pilate being perhaps descended from a freedman. Sixth Roman procurator of Judaea, appointed in Tiberius' 12th year (A.D. 25 or 26). The pagan historian Tacitus (Ann. 15:44) writes: "Christ, while Tiberius was emperor, was capitally executed by the procurator Pontius Pilate." The procurator was generally a Roman knight, acting under the governor of a province as collector of the revenue, and judge in cases arising under it. But Pontius Pilate had full military and judicial authority in Judas, as being a small province attached to the larger Syria; he was responsible to the governor of Syria. Archelaus having been deposed (A.D. 6), Subinus, Coponius, Ambivius, Rufus, Valerius Gratus, and Pontius Pilate successively were governors (Josephus, Ant. 18:2, section 2). Pilate removed his military head quarters from Caesarea to Jerusalem, and the soldiers brought their standards with the emperor's image on them.

The Jews crowded to Caesarea and besought him to remove them He was about to kill the petitioners after a five days' discussion, giving a signal to concealed soldiers to surround them; but their resolve to die rather than cease resisting the idolatrous innovation caused him to yield (Josephus, Ant. 18:3, section 1-2; B.J. 2:9, section 2-4). So far did the Jews' scruples influence the Roman authorities that no coin is stamped with a god or emperor before Nero (DeSaulcy, Numism. 8-9); the "penny" stamped with Caesar's image in Matthew 22:20 was either a coin from Rome or another province, the shekel alone was received in the temple. Pilate again almost drove them to rebel (1) by hanging up in his residence, Herod's palace at Jerusalem, gilt shields with names of idols inscribed, which were finally removed by Tiberius' order (Philo, ad Caium. 38, ii. 589)...

Pilate in Hitchcock's Bible Names armed with a dart Pilate in Naves Topical Bible -Roman governor of Judaea during the time of Jesus' ministry Mt 27:2; Lu 3:1 -Causes the slaughter of certain Galileans Lu 13:1 -Tries Jesus and orders his crucifixion Mt 27; Mr 15; Lu 23; Joh 18:28-40; 19; Ac 3:13; 4:27; 13:28; 1Ti 6:13 -Allows Joseph of Arimathaea to take Jesus' body Mt 27:57,58; Mr 15:43-45; Lu 23:52; Joh 19:38 Pilate in Smiths Bible Dictionary (armed with a spear), Pontius. Pontius Pilate was the sixth Roman procurator of Judea, and under him our Lord worked, suffered and died, as we learn not only from Scripture, but from Tacitus (Ann. xv. 44). was appointed A.D.

25-6, in the twelfth year of Tiberius. His arbitrary administration nearly drove the Jews to insurrection on two or three occasions. One of his first acts was to remove the headquarters of the army from Caesarea to Jerusalem. The soldiers of course took with them their standards, bearing the image of the emperor, into the holy city. No previous governor had ventured on such an outrage. The people poured down in crowds to Caesarea, where the procurator was then residing, and besought him to remove the images. After five days of discussion he gave the signal to some concealed soldiers to surround the petitioners and put them to death unless they ceased to trouble him; but this only strengthened their determination, and they declared themselves ready rather to submit to death than forego their resistance to aa idolatrous innovation. Pilate then yielded, and the standards were by his orders brought down to Caesarea. His slaughter of certain Galileans, Lu 13:1 led to some remarks from our Lord on the connection between sin and calamity. It must have occurred at some feast at Jerusalem, in the outer court of the temple.

It was the custom for the procurators to reside at Jerusalem during the great feasts, to preserve order, and accordingly, at the time of our Lord's last Passover, Pilate was occupying his official residence in Herod's palace. The history of his condemnation of our Lord is familiar to all. We learn from Josephus that Pilate's anxiety to avoid giving offence to Caesar did not save him from political disaster. The Samaritans were unquiet and rebellious Pilate led his troops against them, and defeated them enough. The Samaritans complained to Vitellius, then president of Syria, and he sent Pilate to Rome to answer their accusations before the emperor. When he reached it he found Tiberius dead and Caius (Caligula) on the throne A,D, 36. Eusebius adds that soon afterward "wearied with misfortunes," he killed himself. As to the scene of his death there are various traditions.

One is that he was banished to Vienna Allobrogum (Vienne on the Rhone), where a singular monument--a pyramid on a quadrangular base, 52 feet high--is called Pontius Pilate"s tomb, An other is that he sought to hide his sorrows on the mountain by the lake of Lucerne, now called Mount Pilatus; and there) after spending years in its recesses, in remorse and despair rather than penitence, plunged into the dismal lake which occupies its summit. Pilate in the Bible Encyclopedia - ISBE 1. Name and Office: The nomen Pontius indicates the stock from which Pilate was descended. It was one of the most famous of Samnite names; it was a Pontius who inflicted on a Roman army the disgrace of the Caudine Forks. The name is often met with in Roman history after the Samnites were conquered and absorbed. Lucius Pontius Aquila was a friend of Cicero and one of the assassins of Julius Caesar. The cognomen Pilatus indicates the familia, or branch of the gens Pontius, to which Pilate belonged.

It has been derived from pileus, the cap worn by freedmen; this is improbable, as Pilate was of equestrian rank. It has also been derived from pilum, a spear. Probably the name was one that had descended to Pilate from his ancestors, and had long lost its meaning. The praenomen is nowhere mentioned. Pilate was 5th procurator of Judea. The province of Judea had formerly been the kingdom of Archclaus, and was formed when he was deposed (6 AD) Speaking roughly, it took in the southern half of Israel, including Samaria. Being an imperial province (i.e. under the direct control of the emperor), it was governed by a procurator (see PROCURATOR; PROVINCE). The procurator was the personal servant of the emperor, directly responsible to him, and was primarily concerned with finance. But the powers of procurators varied according to the appointment of the emperor. Pilate was a procurator cum porestate, i.e. he possessed civil, military, and criminal jurisdiction. The procurator of Judea was in some way subordinate to the legate of Syria, but the exact character of the subordination is not known.

As a rule a procurator must be of equestrian rank and a man of certain military experience. Under his rule, the Jews were allowed as much self- government as was consistent with the maintenance of imperial authority. The Sanhedrin was allowed to exercise judicial functions, but if they desired to inflict the penalty of death, the sentence had to be confirmed by the procurator... Pontius Pilate in Wikipedia Pontius Pilate (pronounced /; Latin: Pontius Pilatus, Greek: Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος) was the fifth Prefect of the Roman province of Judaea from AD 26ï¿½36.[1][2][3] Typically referenced as the fifth Prefect of Judaea, he is best known as the judge at Jesus' trial and the man who authorized his crucifixion. Pilate appears in all four canonical Christian Gospels.

In Matthew, Pilate washes his hands of Jesus and reluctantly sends him to his death.[4] Mark, depicting Jesus as innocent of plotting against Rome, portrays Pilate as extremely reluctant to execute Jesus, blaming the Jewish priestly hierarchy for his death.[4] In Luke, Pilate not only agrees that Jesus did not conspire against Rome, but Herod Antipas, the tetrarch, also finds nothing treasonable in Jesus' actions.[4] In John, Jesus' claim to be the Son of Man or the Messiah to Pilate and the Sanhedrin is not portrayed at all.[4]... Some Scriptures mentioning the name "Pontius Pilate" John 19:21 - Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. John 19:10 - Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? John 18:37 - Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king.

To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Luke 3:1 - Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, John 19:22 - Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. John 19:15 - But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. John 19:6 - When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify [him]: for I find no fault in him.

John 19:12 - And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. John 19:31 - The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and [that] they might be taken away. Mark 15:44 - And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling [unto him] the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. John 18:38 - Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault [at all]. Mark 15:2 - And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest [it].

Luke 23:3 - And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest [it]. Mark 15:1 - And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried [him] away, and delivered [him] to Pilate. Acts 4:27 - For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 1 Timothy 6:13 - I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and [before] Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; Acts 3:13 - The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.

Matthew 27:24 - When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it]. Mark 15:43 - Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. John 19:13 - When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. John 18:35 - Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Mark 15:15 - And [so] Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged [him], to be crucified.

John 18:33 - Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? John 19:5 - Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And [Pilate] saith unto them, Behold the man! John 19:19 - And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. Mark 15:4 - And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. Luke 13:1 - There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Matthew 27:17 - Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

Luke 23:11 - And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked [him], and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. Matthew 27:13 - Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? Top Ten Biblical Discoveries in Archaeology – #6 Pontius Pilate InscriptionParchment and Pen Blog This post is a continuation of our Top Ten Biblical Discoveries in Archaeology series. To see the complete series please click here . Pilate’s Role Who is Jesus? You and I are sitting down in the Credo House, enjoying a delicious Luther Latte. We’re talking about the important questions of life and I lean forward asking you that simple question, “Who is Jesus?” What do you think about him? Is He everything the Bible communicates? Did He actually live, die for the sins of humanity, and rise from the dead? Do you consider Him your Lord? Is He the ultimate King of the Jews? Is He the King of Kings? These are important questions for all of mankind to consider.

One man, according to the Bible, was uniquely called upon to wrestle with the identity of Jesus. His name: Pontius Pilate. Pilate was the Prefect (governor) of the Roman province of Judea from 26-36 AD. The Jewish high priests at the time were unable to legally sentence a man to death. Most of the leading Jews wanted Jesus killed. In order for Jesus to be killed the death sentence had to be carried out under Roman law. The Jewish leaders needed Pontius Pilate to condemn Jesus to death. Early one morning a mob drives Jesus to Pilate. Pilate becomes responsible for deciding the fate of Jesus. John 18 describes the scene: So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world.

If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:33-38) Wow, what an amazing dialogue. Jesus forces Pilate to wrestle with his identity. Where does the conversation go from here? Pilate tells the crowd he believes Jesus to be innocent. The crowd finds a loop-hole in the system asking for a criminal, Barabbas, to be released from prison and for Jesus to be found guilty. Pilate appeases the crowd by sending Jesus away to be flogged. After experiencing the horror of flogging, the Bible tells us Jesus is sent back to Pilate.

Pilate and Jesus have another conversation described in John 19: He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:9-11) Jesus speaks with determined clarity. Pilate continues to move in the direction of releasing Jesus. Those seeking the death of Jesus cry out to Pilate, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar. (John 19:12)” Pilate eventually gives in and agrees to have Jesus crucified. Interestingly, the Bible explains, Pilate places on sign of the cross of Jesus which read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Pilate Outside the Bible What we know about Pontius Pilate comes primarily from the Bible.

Three men named Tacitus, Josephus and Philo all lived around the time of Jesus and mention Pilate in their writings. Tacitus writes: To dispel the rumor, Nero substituted as culprits, and treated with the most extreme punishments, some people, popularly known as Christians, whose disgraceful activities were notorious. The originator of that name, Christus, had been executed when Tiberius was emperor, by order of the procurator Pontius Pilatus. But the deadly cult, though checked for a time, was now breaking out again not only in Judea, the birthplace of this evil, but even throughout Rome, where all the nasty and disgusting ideas from all over the world pour in and find a ready following. Josephus writes: About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, for he was a performer of wonderful deeds, a teacher of such men as are happy to accept the truth. He won over many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. When Pilate, at the suggestion of the leading men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those who had loved him at the first did not forsake him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct to this day.

Philo, more than the other men, speaks to the character of Pilate. He explains Pilate as, “a man of inflexible, stubborn and cruel disposition.” Philo explains several situations where Pilate provokes and is cruel to the Jewish people. The Bible and these three men speak plainly about Pilate, the world of Pontius Pilate, and the man from Nazareth whom He sentenced to be crucified. Pontius Pilate is seen by Tacitus, Philo and Josephus as the real governor of Judea and the real man who sentenced Jesus to be crucified. Discovery In 1961 the archaeological world was taken back to the first century Roman province of Judea. A group of archaeologists, led by Dr. Antonio Frova were excavating an ancient Roman theater near Caesarea Maritima. Caesarea was a leading city in the first century located on the Mediterranean Sea. A limestone block was found there with a surprising inscription.

The inscription, on three lines, reads: …]S TIBERIVM …PON]TIVS PILATVS …PRAEF]ECTVS IVDA[EA] The inscription is believed to be part of a larger inscription dedicating a temple in Caesarea to the emperor Tiberius. The inscription clearly states, “Pontius Pilate, Prefect of Judea.” The inscription is significant on several levels. Significance It makes sense for Pilate to be dedicating a temple in Caesarea Maritima. The prefect usually lived in Caesarea and only went to Jerusalem for special purposes. An inscription of Pilate found in Caesarea fits with the first century world described in the Bible. The dating of the inscription, in connection with its mention of Tiberius (42 BC-37AD) places the governor Pontius Pilate at the same place and time as the Bible’s information about Jesus. As with the Caiaphas Ossuary mentioned in a previous post, the vast significance of the Pilate Inscription is attached to the significance of the crucifixion of Jesus. The inscription does not prove the conversations between Pilate and Jesus.

The inscription does not prove Pilate condemned Jesus to be crucified. The inscription does not prove the forgiveness of mankind’s sin through the death of Christ. The inscription does, however, support the historical reliability of the cross, as with the Caiaphas Ossuary, by supporting the existence of one of its central characters. What do you think? Do you find the Pilate Inscription to be a significant discovery in archaeology? Join the conversation by commenting on the post. In the next post we look again at crucifixion from a completely different perspective. Share this: Week #12 - Arrest and Trials of Jesus Christ Thursday � Trial before Herod. Pilate releases Barabbas.  Luke 23:1-25 Friday � Jesus appears before Pilate.  John 19:1-17 Pontius Pilate Pontius Pilate was a Roman Prefect who governed Judea from AD 26-36. He married the granddaughter of Augustus. Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, hated Pilate, who had mingled Galilean blood with sacrifices. After Pilate sent Jesus to be tried by Herod, they became friends.

See Luke 13:1 and 23:6-12. Sejanus, who controlled the Roman government after Tiberius retired to Capri in AD 26, appointed Pilate. Sejanus wanted to exterminate the Jews. To gain the favor of Sejanus, Pilate offended the Jews by ordering troops to carry shields into Jerusalem bearing the emperor's image. He later seized temple funds to construct an aqueduct in Jerusalem. He also issued coins bearing a staff that symbolized emperor worship. In October of AD 31, Tiberius executed Sejanus for treason. Then in AD 32 he ordered Pilate to stop minting the offensive coins. Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus, and repeatedly tried to release him. But, because the Jews threatened to report him to Tiberius, Pilate sentenced Jesus. Pilate wrote the inscription that was put on the cross. He gave Joseph of Arimathea permission to bury Jesus Did you know? Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Although Annas was officially deposed as high-priest in AD 15, his judgment greatly influenced Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.

Peter's 3rd denial was to a relative of Malchus, the servant he struck. (John 18:26) © 2000 Ken Palmer Pontius Pilate | Bible Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Race Jephthite Pontius Pilate was a Roman Governor, or Prefect, over the Roman province of Judea during the reign of Tiberius Caesar [1] . Pilate served for 10 years, second only to his predecessor Valerius Gratus in difficult province where Jews hated the occupation. As governor over Judea he oppressed the common Jewish citizen, but tried to appease the Jewish leadership (the High Priests, Sanhedrin and Pharisees ) in order to remain in power. His most notable action as Governor of Judea was sentencing Jesus Christ to crucifixion in order to please the Jewish leadership, because there was no legal basis for his execution [2] . Contents Biography Early Life Nothing is known about Pontius Pilate's early life. However, having come to power as a governor in AD 26, he would have been a mature leader trusted by the emperor by then.

and Establishment as Governor .He was appointed by Tiberius Caesar, succeeding Valerius Gratus. He reigned over Judea, Samaria and Idumæa at least from the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius [1] . Pontius Pilate was almost always referred to his by his last name "Pilate" as "Pontius" could've been a title rather than a first name. Once in power, Pontius became a rival with others with a similar governor title, most notably with Herod Antipas the tetrarch of Galilee [3] . During Pontius Pilate's reign, he would mix the blood of Galileans with that of Jewish and Yahwistic sacrifices [4] . Proceeding over the Trial of Jesus When Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus Christ, he was arrested by the Jewish priesthood, including Caiaphas the high priest. After Jesus had been tried by the Jews, they brought him to the palace in Jerusalem belonging to the current Judean governor; at the time Pilate.

When the Jews arrived at Pontius Pilate's palace, they would not enter his palace, because it was early morning and they wanted to remain clean to partake in Passover [5] . So Pilate came out of his palace to exercise his judicial obligations and asked what charges were accused of Jesus [6] . The Jews notioned several false charges against Jesus, and also notioned that He had claimed to be king [7] . Pilate then told the Jews that they needed to try him by their own law, rather than Roman law enforced by him, but they did not have the right to execute [8] . Then Pontius went back inside his palace and summoned Jesus and asked Him if He was the king of the jews [9] . Jesus responded by stating if he said so, and asking him of Pilate had came up with this idea on hiw own [10] . The Judean Prefect told Jesus that he was not a Jew and it was his own people that had made the claim of his kingship [11] . Jesus then explained to Pontius that His kingdom was not of the world, and so Pilate exclaimed that Jesus was indeed a king [12] .

Pilate continued asking Christ about the charges in which had been accused of [13] , but to Pilate's astonishment remained quiet [14] . After Jesus explained to Pontius that the truth was on his side he retorted the question of what truth was [15] . After this the Roman Governor brought Jesus back out to the crowds and announced that no charge had been found against him [2] . The crowd became enraged with this answer, and began to complain of how Jesus had begun teaching from Galilee and into Judea [16] . Upon hearing this Pilate asked if the man was from Galilee [17] . After learning that Jesus was from Galilee (being from Nazareth ) and under Herod Antipas' jurisdiction sent him to Herod [18] .After asking him several questions which received no reply, Antipas sent Jesus back to Pilate wearing a robe [19] . On that day Pilate and Antipas became friends and ended their rivalry [3] .

Pilate then called together the accusers of Jesus and told them that neither him nor his new ally Antipas had found any legal basis [20] [2] , so he would be punished and then released. Judea's governor also practiced a custom in which he would release one prison of the crowds choosing near the Passover feast [21] . Pilate asked the crowd if they wanted the "king of the Jews" to be released [22] , knowing that it was out of self interest for him to be charged [23] . While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife told him not to have anything to do with Jesus Christ, because she had agonized over a dream about him [24] Instead the crowds asked for an infamous insurrectionist named Jesus Barabbas [25] . Pilate wanting Jesus to be released, once again appealed to the crowds [26] asking what should be done with Jesus [27] . They shouted for Pontius to crucify him, but he pleaded two more times to consider releasing Jesus [28] .

When the prefect saw his pleas were going nowhere, he washed his hands in front of the crowd and exclaimed he was innocent of the man's blood [29] .Wanting to please the ever insistent crowd, Pilate finally gave in to their demands and released Barabbas [30] and had Jesus flogged [31] . Overseeing Jesus's Crucifixion In 36 AD, the Zealots (a Jewish religious group that fought the Romans) started a riot at Samaria. Pilate had the instigators and 30,000 Samaritans crucified. This event scared the religious leaders who went to Rome and begged emperor Tiberius to remove Pilate from office in return they promised peace. Tiberius agreed and Pilate was removed from office. He was exiled to the Roman city of Vienne, France. Characteristics

Question: Who was the Roman prefect of Judea from about 26-36 AD?
Answer: PONTIUS PILATE